Tuesday, October 9, 2012

These Three Words


At the conclusion of yoga practice today, my teacher left us with these three words: IT IS OKAY. She knew everyone in the class had some sort of problem or situation making them unsteady. For some of us those problems are manageable; others might be facing something that threatens their balance enough to knock them down.

Do you remember when you were a child and you fell and scraped your knee and ran home to Mom?  

I do.  

The closer I came to the side door, the closer my tears would come to the surface, becoming a complete wail as soon as I saw her. Mom's calming embrace, some salve and a band-aid would bring reassurance that it would be okay, mostly because I knew someone bigger and smarter was in charge. 

Eventually, we learn to cope with the tumbles and scrapes of life.
Mostly.

But sometimes we can't cope. Then what? As adults facing situations beyond ourselves where do we run for consolation? In my case, sometimes it is still Mom. She's always got 30 years of wisdom greater than my own. But she no longer has band-aids and salve for all of life's bruises.  

The big problems send me sprinting to God.

It is not his job to prevent illness or injury, though he often does. It isn't his job to fix every problem, though he can.  He is there to give reassurance that in the end, all is well. 

He is bigger than our problems.

Back in the 1870's the writer of a famous hymn had suffered the loss of his only son to scarlet fever at age four. Not long after this, his vast investments burned to the ground in the Great Chicago fire. He planned to take his family to England, but last minute, he was detained. His wife and his four daughters went without him, and were shipwrecked. All the girls perished. On his voyage to meet his bereaved wife in England, the captain told him that they were at the location of the wreck. He returned to his cabin and wrote this hymn:

"When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
  When sorrows like sea billows roll;
   Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
     It is well, it is well, with my soul."

God did not spare Horatio G. Spafford from sorrow and pain. But when this Chicago lawyer sought God, he received assurance and hope from the One who knew his pain. And when he did so, Heratio brought consolation to many people through his song.

When you face difficulties beyond your ability to cope, it doesn't matter where you live or what your trouble is; run up the stairs to the side door, and into his arms.

Day 9




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2 comments:

  1. Beautifully said. Thanks, Becky
    Tell me more about yoga class? How do you find it meshes with your faith?

    ReplyDelete
  2. It is okay. Thank you for your thoughts. I'm striving to stay in the moment and enjoy the now.

    ReplyDelete

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My Father's Words

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud, it is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." Love never fails

Father's Love Letter

An Intimate Message from God to You:

My Child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7

I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…Will you be my child? John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad.... ...Almighty God

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